Harmonize with me.

Seven Principles of Design.

BALANCE HARMONY EMPHASIS RHYTHM SCALE CONTRAST UNITY  

According to Merriam Webster,

harmony noun

1.     a:  the combination of simultaneous musical notes in a chord

2.     b:  pleasing arrangement of parts

In interior design, harmony is the feeling of cohesiveness.

A visual calmness created when design elements work together. Perfectly.

Harmony is achieved when unity and variety combine. When repetition and consistency are balanced with just enough contrast to please the eye. When color, pattern, and texture, appropriately proportioned, become magical.

Harmony makes a space feel complete. Restful. It just works. 

Obvious natural harmony surrounds us.

Take the ant farm. Every ant has a job; living in harmony. The queen lays eggs, young ants tend to the queen, older ants forage for food and defend the nest. Efficient. Effective. A division of labor. A coordinated effort. It just works.

Significantly more complicated than the ant farm. The moon and the tides work in harmony. The moon’s gravity pulls the ocean’s water. Earth rotates. High tide. Low tide. Twice a day. New moon. Full moon. Twenty-eight days in a cycle. Complete comprehension escapes me. Have faith. It just works.

Bees and flowers exist in harmony. An essential pair. Remember the Bee Movie? Bees rely on flowers for nectar. Flowers rely on bees for pollination required for reproduction. Both need each other to survive. Complete compatibility. It just works.

Harmony can make or break a space. To achieve harmony at home, focus on a few factors:

• Color – aim for three (check out our January 31, 2025, blog on color);

• Pattern – five total of varying size and print (July 11, 2025, refresh your knowledge);

• Texture – lucky number seven… smooth, rough, soft, hard, shiny, matte, furry…;

• Furniture size compared to room size – think Goldie Locks; not too big, not too small;

• Focal point – you get one; and

• Balance – re-read last week’s blog. 

Harmony takes practice. Time. Effort. But, once achieved, your eyes and mind will thank you. The room, simple stated; It just works.